Ling Tian Sword God

After leaving Golden Sand Ancient City, Ling Chen and Lin Ya's group returned to North Wind City.

Mo Feng did not come to cause any trouble again. Shocking Death Sect had suffered significant losses this time. The Black Dragon Gang was nearly annihilated, and its power was quickly wiped out by the City Lord Mansion and the Baiyue Trade Association, vanishing without a trace.

Having offended Lin Ya and fearing her retaliation, Mo Feng only stayed in North Wind City for a few days before discreetly leaving to return to the Shocking Death Sect to report on his mission.

It took Ling Chen several days to refine the True Qi he had absorbed from Liu Sha. Although Liu Sha was a Grand Master of the Second Realm, the quality of his True Qi was not high. After Ling Chen refined it, very little remained that could be transformed into Lingtian True Qi.

However, after the refinement, Ling Chen's cultivation at the Martial Artist Seventh Realm was completely solidified.

By the time Ling Chen had finished refining, it was also time for him to leave North Wind City.

When Ling Chen was due to depart, Lin Ya personally saw him off at the city gate.

"Ling Chen, are you interested in joining our Black Market?"

Lin Ya looked at Ling Chen earnestly. "If you agree to join the Black Market, I will make the introductions. The Black Market will definitely focus on nurturing you and provide you with sufficient Cultivation Resources. Unlike the Divine Intent Sect, which is on its last legs, they lack the ability to help you ascend to the Sky Apex Realm."

Hearing this, Ling Chen smiled and shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Lin Ya. If I decide to leave the Divine Intent Sect in the future, the Black Market will be the first I consider."

"Then, be careful on your journey."

Lin Ya did not intend to waste more words. She knew Ling Chen was not someone easily swayed. Since he had no intention of joining the Black Market, saying more was pointless.

"Until we meet again."

Ling Chen offered a cupped-fist salute, then leaped onto his horse and rode off into the distance.

Our next meeting will likely be at the Martial World Conference. I wonder how much he will have grown by then.

Watching Ling Chen's receding silhouette, Lin Ya's beautiful eyes filled with anticipation. With Ling Chen's potential, it was hard to predict how much he would grow in six months.

...

After leaving North Wind City, Ling Chen continued north. His planned route was to cross the Aqua Country, then enter the territory of the Thunder Country to attend the Martial World Conference in the City of Thunder.

However, with half a year still remaining until the Martial World Conference, Ling Chen was in no hurry.

The purpose of this training expedition was twofold: to find ways to improve himself and to broaden his horizons. Extensive knowledge greatly influenced one's perspective and even the enhancement of one's strength.

After journeying five hundred miles overland, Ling Chen switched to water transport, boarding a merchant ship bound for the capital of the Aqua Country.

The hinterlands of the Aqua Country were predominantly mountains and waterways. The climate here was warmer and more humid than in the Wind Country, resulting in a land of waterscapes, adorned with pavilions and waterside gazebos, exuding a poetic and picturesque atmosphere, and abounding in scholars, refined gentlemen, and beautiful women.

The City of Ze, the capital of the Aqua Country, was rumored to be a city surrounded by water on three sides. Within the city, travel was by boat, even for royal nobles.

Ling Chen boarded a large Dragon Bone ship. The fare was one hundred taels of silver, and only wealthy merchants and Jianghu martial artists were on board.

"Everyone," a stern-looking middle-aged man announced, walking onto the deck of the merchant ship, "from this point onward, the Jianghu is rife with bandits and thieves. Experts of all kinds frequently appear. It would be best for you all to remain cautious and avoid provoking them."

"With Hero Zhu, a Third Level Grand Master, present, what water bandit would dare to cause us trouble?" a Jianghu guest carrying a long staff said with a smile.

"That's right! Hero Zhu, you frequently travel this route and are known as 'Town of Three Rivers.' Your fame resounds along these waterways; who wouldn't know of you?" another warrior chimed in with a laugh.

Hearing these words, the middle-aged man addressed as Hero Zhu showed a hint of complacency. "Even so, we must not lower our guard. The Jianghu has never lacked extraordinary individuals. Those of us who travel year-round must remain vigilant."

"Yes, caution ensures a long journey. In the current Martial World, I'm afraid only a Top Sky Apex Strong can move through the Jianghu unimpeded," the previous Jianghu guest nodded.

"Indeed," Hero Zhu nodded and continued, "once one reaches the Sky Apex Realm in cultivation, not only can one tread through the void and fly through the heavens and earth, but one can also 'shape-shift True Qi,' transforming one's True Qi into various forms such as True Qi Flying Swords, Flying Daggers, or even True Qi manifesting as beasts—it's like being able to simulate anything. In front of a Top Sky Apex Strong, even the most powerful Grand Master is but an ant, with absolutely no power to fight. This is because Grand Masters do not yet possess the ability to tread through the void, while a Top Sky Apex Strong can. With one in the sky and one on the ground, there's simply no way to fight."

Ling Chen also nodded. Indeed, he mused. Why can a Top Sky Apex Strong stand at the pinnacle of the Martial World, revered by all experts under heaven? It's precisely because they are far stronger than Grand Masters. If the gap between Martial Artists and Grand Masters can still be bridged, then the chasm between the Grand Master level and the Sky Apex Realm is incredibly difficult to overcome.

Suddenly, five or six small boats, densely packed with figures, appeared on the river not far away. On the foremost boat, a one-eyed middle-aged man was clearly visible.

"Not good, these people are bandits!" a warrior exclaimed.

"Not ordinary bandits! Their leader is 'Poison Eye Dragon' Wei Tao! He's a Grand Master of the Fourth Realm!"

Hero Zhu's expression turned grim. He had traveled this waterway for many years and naturally knew of Wei Tao's reputation. However, Wei Tao rarely acted personally; he had not expected him to appear at this time.

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

When the small boats were about a hundred meters from the Dragon Bone ship, the one-eyed middle-aged man leaped from his boat, strode across the water, and with another bound, landed on the deck.

"Brother Wei Tao," Hero Zhu greeted with a cupped-fist salute, adopting a humble tone, "this ship is under my escort. I hope you can, out of respect for me, Zhu Hong of 'Town of Three Rivers,' make an exception and let us pass."

"'Town of Three Rivers' Zhu Hong?" Wei Tao raised an eyebrow, then sneered coldly. "Never heard of him. Hand over all your valuables quickly, and I might let you pass."

"Your Excellency, do not push us too far!" Zhu Hong's face darkened. He hadn't expected the other party to disregard him so completely. "If you drive us to despair, at worst, we'll fight to the death and take you down with us!"

"Take me down with you? You think you're worthy?!"

Wei Tao abruptly channeled his True Qi, unleashing a sudden punch. The Fist Strength spiraled outwards.

Zhu Hong, being a Third Level Grand Master, was no weakling. Seeing Wei Tao's fist hurtling towards him, he also activated his True Qi, meeting it with an angry palm strike.

The two clashed, ferocious residual energy erupting in all directions, forcing the surrounding crowd to retreat repeatedly.

"Poison Dragon Killing Fist!"

"River Overlord Palm!"

BANG!

Fist met palm, and powerful Air Energy swept out like a whirlwind.

SPLUTTER!

Spitting a mouthful of blood, Zhu Hong was sent flying backward, fresh blood spraying from his lips as he suffered internal injuries.

"Peak of the Fourth Realm!"

Zhu Hong stared at Wei Tao, an expression of inexplicable horror flashing in his eyes.

"Haha, just as I thought! A reputation without substance!"

Wei Tao seized the opportunity, closing in, intending to kill Zhu Hong with a single punch.

Ling Chen's expression sank slightly. This is trouble, he thought. Wei Tao is formidable. If he manages to kill Zhu Hong, everyone on this ship, myself included, will likely perish.